Molds to make exterior water fountains

Written by katherine kally| 13/05/2017

Make a tiered water fountain using at least three different-sized moulds. (fountain image by Bruce Shippee from Fotolia.com)

Water fountains can add serenity, aesthetics and function to exterior landscapes. Exterior water fountains are most often made with concrete, clay or resin. Crafting your own exterior water fountains from any of these materials requires the use of some type of mould to shape the fountain design. Common household supplies can work as exterior fountain moulds, or you can customise moulds to fit your vision.

Bowls

Plastic, metal or wooden bowls are among the types of moulds you can use to make exterior water fountains. Depending on the material and the process you are using to make the fountain, you may need more than one bowl to make the mould. For example, if you are casting a concrete mould, one bowl is sufficient to shape the sand into the desired mould. For pressed or poured substances including concrete or liquid resin, you'll need two different-sized bowls to make the mould. The largest bowl is the receptacle for the material and shapes the outside perimeter of the fountain. A smaller bowl fits inside the larger bowl to create the interior shape of the fountain.

Sand

Casting a concrete fountain requires sand to form the desired shape of the design. You can make any shape that you like in the sand using a variety of household materials, or you can create a free-form design in the sand with your hands. Make sure to cover the sand with cling film to keep the particles out of the concrete fountain finish; spray a release agent on the cling film before pouring the concrete.

Planters

Planters made from glass, ceramic, terra cotta and wood are mould options for making exterior water fountains. You can use the outside or the inside surface of the planter, depending on the desired size of the fountain. Use a release agent before you spread modelling clay over the surface. After the clay dries, you can remove the mould.

Foam

Build a mould for an exterior concrete fountain using extruded foam insulation. This building material is less expensive than wood; you can cut it with a circular saw and assemble the mould using duct tape. Custom-size the mould to make a fountain that fits your landscape.